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- Dean Shoes Invests Rs.1000 Crore (~$118 Million) in Tamil Nadu Creating 15000 Jobs & More
Dean Shoes Invests Rs.1000 Crore (~$118 Million) in Tamil Nadu Creating 15000 Jobs & More
Nigerian Leather Industry Plans Mini Tanneries across Country & EU Parliament Votes to Delay EUDR
Arshad Leathernews.org
November 17, 2024
Good Morning & Welcome to our weekly newsletter! Here, we bring you the entire week's global news, insights, market research & analysis, expert insights and facts from the "leather, footwear, and leather goods" industry.
In a simplified and easy-to-understand manner, saving you time while keeping you informed and updated.
In case you missed it, here’s a look at what happened in the Global Leather & Footwear Industry last week.
LEATHER INDUSTRY NEWS
On November 13, 2024, global industry leaders convened at Geneva’s Palais des Nations for the UNECE/FAO Forests Deforestation-Free Trade Dialogue to address the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
Leather industry representatives, including ICT, COTANCE, UNIC – Concerie Italiane, and ICEC, advocated for leather’s exclusion, citing minimal links to deforestation. A study by Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna revealed leather uses hides, a meat industry by-product, preventing waste.
“One-quarter of global finished leather sales are Italian. Without leather, hides would end up in landfills,” noted UNIC President Fabrizio Nuti. With EUDR enforcement postponed until December 2025, the industry remains optimistic about sustainable outcomes.
The Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST) is set to launch mini tanneries in all 36 states to capitalize on Nigeria’s untapped $1 billion annual leather export potential.
Announced by Director-General Prof. Mohammed Yakubu, the initiative will transform surplus hides and skins into export-ready leather, aiming to enhance foreign exchange earnings and create jobs. Each tannery will process 1-5 tonnes of leather weekly.
However, challenges persist, as hides are often consumed as "Kpomo," a local delicacy. NILEST’s campaign to curb this practice includes support for Kpomo vendors, while addressing power and infrastructure gaps remains critical for global competitiveness.
Bonaudo S.p.A., a leader in Italian leather since 1923, has launched an innovative design competition for Bachelor’s students in Fashion Design at IED Milan.
Under the theme “The Beauty of Sustainable Traditions: Leather as a Luxury Leader in Circularity and Durability Meets the New Generations,” contestants will create capsule collections of six leather outfits or accessories, showcasing creativity, sustainability, and craftsmanship.
The competition will select 23 semi-finalists to visit Bonaudo’s facilities in January, with six finalists crafting prototypes. The winner, chosen at a grand event, will represent Bonaudo at Première Vision 2025, receiving financial support and global exposure.
Students at the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) recently engaged in a session focused on sustainability in Pakistan's leather industry.
The event, led by WWF Pakistan and supported by The SMEP Programme with technical input from UNCTAD, addressed key environmental issues such as traceability, cleaner production, and circular economy practices.
These initiatives aim to make the leather sector more eco-friendly and globally competitive. The session highlighted the importance of student involvement in driving sustainable innovation and advocacy. Collaboration between academia, industry, and global partners is essential for fostering a cleaner and greener leather industry.
FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY NEWS
In a significant boost to Tamil Nadu’s industrial growth, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin recently laid the foundation stone for a new manufacturing unit of Taiwanese footwear giant Dean Shoes at the SIPCOT Industrial Park in Jayankondam, Ariyalur district.
The ₹1,000 crore (~$118 million) investment aims to create 15,000 jobs, with a focus on empowering women, as 90% of the positions will be allocated to women.
This initiative highlights Tamil Nadu’s growing dominance in non-leather footwear manufacturing, already contributing to 32% of India's total footwear production. The state’s efforts under the Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet (TNGIM) continue to attract global investments.
LEATHER GOODS INDUSTRY NEWS
C&A, the global fashion retailer known for its affordable clothing and accessories, has announced a significant update to its animal welfare policy.
Effective in 2024, the company will ban all forms of leather—full-grain, top-grain, genuine, and bonded—as well as newly plucked down from birds. This shift, set to fully take effect by July 2025, further strengthens C&A’s commitment to ethical sourcing, building on its status as a Fur Free Retailer since 2016.
The policy includes a one-year transition period to support suppliers in adapting to the change and exploring sustainable alternatives to leather and down.
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS & ANALYSIS
More than 30,000 Sq.ft of Goat Shoe Suede & Cow Lining Available in Portugal at a DISCOUNTED PRICE
An Indian leather manufacturer is closing their Portugal office & warehouse and there is available stock for immediate purchase:
▪ 20,000 sq.ft of Indian origin goat shoe suede (average size: 3-5 sq.ft)
▪ 7,000 sq.ft of cow lining in nude color
If you are a
- Leather trader/Trading Company,
- Agent, or
- Footwear factory in Portugal or
Any other location interested in this inventory, feel free to reach out.
The Managing Director of the company is currently in Portugal for the next 8 days & available for in person meetings if you are around.
For inquiries or to set up a meeting, please email
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Written & Published by Arshad | Leathernews.org
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